XXIV. Remarks explanatory, and Tabular Results of a Meteorlogical Journal kept at Carlisle by the late Mr William Pitt during twenty-four years

Extract

The Royal Society of Edinburgh having taken great interest in meteorological observations, it has occurred to me, that the accompanying Meteorological Journals would be acceptable to the Society. I therefore transmit them, in the hope that they may be of some service, in promoting the laudable object of the Society, the science of meteorology.

These journals include a period of twenty-four years, and were kept by the late Mr Pitt of Carlisle, who was long a careful and accurate observer of many atmospherical phenomena. Mr Pitt did not avail himself of the new instruments that are used in meteorology, but understood well the nature and application of those he employed. The thermometer, barometer, and rain-gauge, were the instruments he made use of, and they are probably more important than any other. For many years Mr Pitt had no particular occupation, and meteorology was his hobby. He devoted a great portion of his time to astronomical and meteorological observations, took great delight in keeping his journals, and was scrupulously accurate. From my personal knowledge of his diligence, of his habits of making correct observations, and the systematic fidelity with which he recorded them, I think I can with great safety vouch for the accuracy of the statements contained in his journals.